Maritime partners challenge community to fill shipping container with toys

South Carolina Ports, the International Longshoremen’s Association, and Coalition 18 are teaming up to fill an entire 40-foot container with toys to make this holiday brighter for children in need.

Charleston’s maritime community is encouraging their workforces, local businesses, and organizations, and area residents to donate toys for the Holiday Toy Drive.

They are challenging the Lowcountry to fill a shipping container at Wando Welch Terminal in Mount Pleasant by Dec. 9. The donated toys will be distributed to foster children through the S.C. Department of Social Services.

“SC Ports’ mission extends beyond its gates and into our communities,” SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin said. “The SC Ports team and our maritime partners work together every day to keep freight moving. We are now partnering to encourage people and businesses to donate to the Holiday Toy Drive. Let’s bring some holiday cheer to children in our communities.”

“Truck drivers are a critical part of the supply chain,” said Juan Gordon, president of the trucking organization Coalition 18. “We move containers filled with goods every day, so it is especially meaningful for Coalition 18 to be a part of this effort to fill a container with toys for deserving kids in South Carolina.”

“The three crafts of the International Longshoremen’s Association — ILA Local 1422, ILA Local 1422-A, and ILA Local 1771 — all play an important role in moving cargo through our port terminals for businesses around the Southeast,” said Yvette Flowers, financial secretary-treasurer of the International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1422. “We are proud to serve South Carolina’s supply chains and to give back to our communities, alongside our maritime and logistics partners.”

How to contribute:

Purchase toys online through the Amazon Holiday Toy Drive Wish/Gift List. After selecting a toy and clicking “proceed to checkout,” select the following shipping address: “Toy Drive Mount Pleasant, SC – Deliver to this address.”

Bring unwrapped toys to SC Ports headquarters, which is located at 200 Ports Authority Drive in Mount Pleasant.

Donations are accepted until Dec. 9. Please help us fill a shipping container for South Carolina children!